Azure AI Foundry
Azure AI Foundry is Microsoft's platform for enterprise AI operations. It brings model deployment, fine-tuning and agent development into a single managed service, with access to a wide range of models from Microsoft, OpenAI, Meta and others, through a web portal at ai.azure.com and an SDK.
What data you can use with it
What you can put into Foundry depends on your data's classification and how it is set up. Check Using data with AI before you use it.
Why we are trialling it
A small number of Defra teams are using Foundry in real delivery, with support from the AI Capability and Enablement team. The team is collecting evidence on cost, performance and integration before recommending wider use.
Talk to the team before using it in delivery. They can advise on tenancy, model choice and the controls you need in place.
When to consider it
Foundry may be a good fit if you need:
- access to OpenAI and other models through Azure
- to build and evaluate AI agents with managed tooling
- to keep data inside Azure, where your service already runs
More information
For how Defra handles AI security and data, see Security and Keeping data safe.
Get help with Azure AI Foundry
Talk to the AI Capability and Enablement team before using Foundry in delivery.